Report From RIOC President Leslie Torres - Roosevelt Island Day, Tram Fountain Open, Island Shakespeare, Cardinal Visits & Arbor Day Tree Give Away

Image of RIOC President Leslie Torres

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Lesie Torres sends the following report to Roosevelt Island residents.

Greetings Roosevelt Islanders! I hope you had a great Memorial Day weekend. It was certainly busy here, as visitors poured onto our Tram to come and enjoy all the outdoor attractions that our beautiful Island has to offer.

Roosevelt Island Day

Join us for a full slate of Roosevelt Island Day fun on Saturday, June 9. The day kicks off at 9:00 am at the Good Shepherd Plaza, where residents can pick up flowers to plant around the Island. Then, from noon to 3:00 pm, kids take center stage with games, rides, a petting zoo and other family-friendly activities on the Plaza. Roosevelt Island’s own Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance will perform at 6:00 pm, and the day will conclude with a concert by Incrediband at 6:30 pm. All the events will go forward rain or shine, but if it rains the Incrediband concert will move indoors to PS/IS 217. Attendees will receive the newly designed Roosevelt Island Day t-shirt, wristbands and more for free.

As I mentioned in a previous column, Senator Jose M. Serrano will be sponsoring free mammogram screenings at the 591 Main Street Plaza from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm as part of Roosevelt Island Day. Please call 1-800-564-6868 for details and to make an appointment.

Fountain is Open

RIOC is pleased to announce that the fountain near the Tram station is open once again, after we repaired parts that were cracked and broken. Now that the work is finished, the barricade has been removed, but as always it is unsafe to go into the fountain. Our Public Safety Department will be monitoring the area.

Island Shakespeare’s Season Opens

Island Shakespeare is opening its 2012 season on June 15 with an immersive celebration of Shakespeare’s comedy “Much Ado About Nothing” at the Eastwood Amphitheater. Performances run through July 1, with 7:30 pm shows on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2:00 pm matinees on Saturdays and Sundays. The company promises “a raucous celebration” in which audience members can “follow the story, follow a character, or follow their own desire to explore the piazza.” With live music and dance, and a cast of classically trained actors, it should be a one of a kind experience. Only a limited number of people will be admitted to each performance. For more information, visit www.islandshakespeare.com.

Cardinal O’Brien Visits

The St. Frances Xavier Cabrini congregation welcomed Cardinal Edwin Frederick O’Brien to Roosevelt Island on Wednesday evening for the parish’s Confirmation Ceremony at the Good Shepherd Chapel. Cardinal O’Brien, who traveled from Rome, greeted and took photos with parishioners before the service.

The Cardinal has long been committed to Roosevelt Island and Cabrini, having confirmed over 70 Island residents in previous years before he became a Cardinal. It had been 32 years since a Cardinal last came to Roosevelt Island, and Father Peter Miqueli called the visit “an honor.”

Arbor Day Planting

At our Arbor Day celebration on May 18 RIOC gave away over 100 plants to kids to take home and plant. We appreciate all the help from these youngsters and their parents who are helping to keep the Island green and beautiful. We’re also grateful for the support of RIOC Board Members Christian and Grimm who helped host the Arbor Day event.